The Steinbach Pistons head to Virden to face off against the Oil Capitals for games 3 and 4 of the MJHL semi-finals.
The Steinbach Pistons are 5-2 so far in the playoffs as they dropped one game against Selkirk in the first round and are currently tied 1-1 in the series against Virden. Steinbach’s topline of Braden Birnie, Zach Power and Quinton Pepper has been unstoppable so far in the playoffs, with the line tallying 13-goals so far. Will Hambley has been in net for all of the games so far for Steinbach as he has a 0.892 SV% and a 3.01 GAA. The Pistons’ well-balanced lineup has been chipping in help in many different ways, whether it be blocking shots, clogging the lanes or disrupting Virden’s flow of play. Steinbach had the edge in game 1 this series as they came back to win 5-4 in OT, scoring just 24 seconds in. The Pistons will be looking to play a full, hard and consistent 60-minutes, when Steinbach is on their A-game they are nearly untouchable.
Virden is as about as hot as a team can get right now. The Oil Capitals swept the first round against the Waywayseecappo Wolverines though every game was within one goal and two of the games went to OT. Braden Fischer has been a thorn in the Pistons side as he has racked up 5-goals in the first two games of the series with 7 goals in total in the playoffs. Bailey Monteith has protected the pipes for the Oil Capitals these playoffs with a 0.912 SV% and a 3.09 GAA. Virden over the next two games will be looking to continue doing what they’ve been doing, disrupt the Pistons play and breakouts and forcing Steinbach to make errors and capitalizing on them.
SPECIAL TEAMS
PISTONS: PP 5/21 – 23.8% PK 20/25 – 80%
OIL CAPITALS: PP 5/24 – 20.8% PK 18/24 – 75%
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Steinbach: Zach Power
Zach Power has been unstoppable so far for Steinbach. With 14 points (6 goals and 8 assists) in the playoffs, Power has been making things happen and an integral part of the Pistons success. With the aid of his line mates, Zach is constantly generating offense and making things happen. With his lethal shot Zach Power has played a big part in two comebacks so far this post season, the 4-3 series clinching win versus Selkirk and the 5-4 OT win versus Virden.
Virden: Braden Fischer
This series so far has almost felt like Steinbach versus Braden Fischer. With 5-goals in the first two games and a hat trick in the first game, Fischer has been an offensive machine. Braden’s wrist shot is near perfect as he places it so well and is very deceiving with it. Fischer skates very well and uses that to his benefit to generate scoring chances and set up teammates.